Meet
Al-Jazari
Say it: al-ja-ZAR-ee
Their story. Your next idea.
Al-Jazari designed automatic machines, including clocks and handwashing devices. His book described 50 mechanical devices, including water clocks.
Lost Islamic History, p. 93 · 1001 Inventions, p. 43
mechanismparts working together to make something happen
designa plan for how something will work
prototypean early version made to test an idea
YOUR TURN · 15 MINUTES
Draw a machine that helps
Paper, a pencil, and one small everyday problem.
- Choose a task you would like to make easier, such as watering a plant.
- Sketch a machine that could help. Label each part.
- Add arrows showing what moves first, next, and last.
- Explain your design to someone else. Ask what they would change, and draw a second version.
Let’s wonder
What could you build to help someone at home?
My next question: __________________________________________________